Verlyn Klinkenborg, author of 'Several Short Sentences About Writing', discusses the writer's job, writing by implication, transitions and logic, and the importance of writing authentically about personal interests. The podcast explores the unique writing guide book and emphasizes building trust with the reader through concise writing.
Craft well-written sentences for clarity and precision in writing.
Trust readers to infer deeper meanings by writing with implication.
Deep dives
The Writer's Job: Making Precise Sentences
The essence of writing, as highlighted in the book, is to focus on crafting well-written sentences that precisely convey the intended meaning and thoughts within a writer's mind. Emphasizing the importance of clarity and precision, the podcast discusses the significance of avoiding ambiguity in sentences through careful selection of vocabulary and grammar. By advocating for the use of short sentences for better control over writing and ideas, the book challenges writers to prioritize sentence construction over paragraph or book composition.
Writing by Implication: Inviting Reader Inference
The concept of writing by implication, explored in the book, delves into the art of suggesting more than what is explicitly stated in the text, allowing readers to infer deeper meanings and engage with the content on a profound level. By encouraging writers to trust their readers' intelligence and avoid over-explaining every detail, the podcast highlights the power of letting readers complete ideas and thoughts independently, fostering a sense of collaboration between the writer and the audience.
Transitions and Logic: Redefining Writing Guidance
Challenging traditional writing norms, the podcast questions the overuse of linking words and phrases as tools to guide readers through texts. By advocating for clear and concise writing that naturally conveys logical connections between sentences without reliance on excessive transitional phrases, the book prompts writers to trust in the coherence of their writing and the intelligence of their audience. Embracing the idea of reducing unnecessary guidance, the podcast encourages writers to prioritize clarity and coherence in their writing without imposing unnecessary directional cues on readers.
"Several Short Sentences About Writing" by Verlyn Klinkenborg. I struggled not to highlight every sentence in this book. I loved it so much. It surprised me in so many ways and taught me things about writing I had never heard before.
Here are my key takeaways, nerdy stuff only writers will find interesting.
LINKS
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The blog about linkers - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/avoid-overusing-linking-words/
The blog about this book - https://fabiocerpelloni.com/several-short-sentences-about-writing/